All-America honor for East Bridgewater's Rianna Fasanello

The Southern New Hampshire University senior defender made the national Division 2 second team in women's soccer.

Jim Fenton The Enterprise @JFenton_ent

She is listed at 5-foot-1, tied for the smallest height on the Southern New Hampshire University women’s soccer team this past season.

Size, however, was never an issue for senior defender Rianna Fasanello of East Bridgewater, who put together a memorable senior season this fall.

The former Enterprise All-Scholastic earned a spot on the U.S. Coaches Association Division 2 All-America second team and was selected to the All-East Region first team while also being named the Northeast-10 Conference defensive player of the year.

Fasanello was a key contributor to a defense that allowed just 15 goals in 23 games and won an NCAA Division 2 tournament game for the first time in program history.

The accomplishments of Fasanello, a 2014 East Bridgewater High graduated, exceeded what she hoped for upon arriving at Southern New Hampshire.

“Honestly when I first got there, I just wanted to start and I really just wanted to get in some games,’’ said Fasanello, who started 61 of the 76 games she appeared in. “I definitely didn’t envision any of this happening. I just wanted to make an impact.’’

Fasanello made a significant impact in his senior year when the Penmen went 15-3-5, won their first NE-10 title since 2012 and beat Georgian Court in the NCAA tourney.

Defense was the strong point for SNHU, and Fasanello was in the middle of everything.

“She’s got this mental strength that she brings to the table in practices and in games and that consistency has allowed her to grow in confidence and be super effective,’’ said Penmen coach Elie Monteiro, a Brockton High graduate. “She’s all of 5-1. I thought she was going to be a good college player. She’s 5-1, but she plays 6-foot-3. She doesn’t get beat one vs. one. She just doesn’t.

“It’s very, very rare to see her go in off balance. And even if an attacker succeeds in pushing the ball by her, the recovery speed is great. Defending is mostly all attitude and she certainly has that.

“The kid developed in front of our eyes. It’s amazing to see what she did with the size that she was given. She has the biggest heart and the (best) attitude you’ll ever come across.’’

Fasanello followed in the footsteps of sisters Jaemie, who played at Stonehill College, and Rachel, who played at UMass Boston following one year at Assumption College.

“My two older sisters were defenders, and I was never really taught to be offensive minded,’’ said Fasanello, who began playing soccer at an early age.

She was recruited to SNHU by former coach Terry Prouty, another East Bridgewater High graduate, who left the Penmen before Fasanello’s freshman season.

Fasanello started five of the 18 games she appeared in as a freshman, then became a full-time starter as a sophomore.

Serving as a captain this season, Fasanello played the best soccer of her career.

“Taking on a leadership role gave me more confidence,’’ she said. “The team meshed so well.

“Most of it had to do with how well the team played. We all just worked well together and that gave everyone more confidence to do what they know how to do.’’

The defense took the Penmen a long way as they earned just the second conference title and advanced further than any other SNHU women’s soccer team.

The ride ended with a 3-1 loss in the second round to 17th-ranked Mercy.

“It was definitely a devastating feeling knowing I wouldn’t be playing for SNHU anymore and with my teammates,’’ said Fasanello of the loss. “But it was satisfying because I ended my four years on a really good note.’’

Fasanello, who also made the All-NE-10 first team, did her part and received national recognition as a result.

“I never imagined that happening. It’s amazing,’’ said the elementary and special education major who will either go to graduate school next year or pursue a soccer career overseas. “I actually saw it on the SNHU Instagram and I didn’t believe it. At first I thought I got honorable mention, which would have been cool. I didn’t believe it. It was so cool.’’

Said Monteiro: “You won’t find a teammate that doesn’t feel like she’s earned it because of the work she consistently put in the last four years.

“She’s going to be somebody to point to as an example to follow and imitate. She’s been awesome.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.

Communities

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Wicked Local East Bridgewater ~ 1324 Belmont St., Unit 102, Brockton, MA 02301 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service